Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

In common with the Deputy, the Government wants to see justice for victims of all cases of sexual abuse, including this case. I understand that the person referred to was the subject of an investigation in the early 1990s, as the Deputy said, before they departed this jurisdiction for the United States. As a result of judicial review proceedings in 1994, the State was unable to extradite the person due to the time lapse between the occurrence of the alleged offences and the making of the complaints by the injured parties. More recent investigations were conducted in 2003 by members of the National Bureau of Criminal Investigation. These investigations resulted in no prosecutions being directed.

The Deputy will understand that there is a limit to what can be said on individuals who have not been convicted, even where they have been accused of terrible crimes. In general, An Garda Síochána is responsible for the protection of the public and there are robust and well established procedures for dealing with persons who may pose a threat to others.

This morning, after the Deputy raised this issue with me earlier, I read an article in yesterday's edition of The Times on the case, which suggests that new evidence may come into the public domain in coming days. We will note that with interest and act on it if we can but I am also conscious that this may be subject of a future legal action and want to be careful about what I say.

This is a case we will continue to follow closely and the Deputy's questions about the circumstances which facilitated George Gibney moving to the United States need to be clearly understood. This morning is the first time my Department or office has had any correspondence on this issue. We will follow it closely and provide the Deputy with any information that may come to light.

See this speech in context